Corset-stay



Modem O. A. WILLIAMSON.

CORSET STAY.

\ Patented Nov. 15,1881.

I Win1 Attes. w M

-it curves around UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

OATHARINE A. WILLIAMSON, OF ST. LOUIS, MISSOURI.

CO RS ET-STAY.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 249,564, dated November15, 1881.

\ Application filed July 6, 1881. (Model.)

To all whom it may concern Be it known that I, GA'rLiARINE A. WIL-LIAMSON, of St. Louis, Missouri, have made a new and useful Improvementin Stays for Corsets and Shoulder-Braces, of which the following is afull, clear, and exact description, reference being had to the annexeddrawings, making part of this specification, in which Figure 1 is a sideelevation of the improved support, and Fig. 2 an edge elevation.

The same letters denote the same parts.

The present inventionis an improvement in what are styled the supportsof the corset or brace, or the flat strips extending up and down eachside of the spine, and constituting the main frame of the device.

A represents the improved support. It is made of strong elasticmaterial, such as steel. In length it is made to extend from a littleabove the shoulder-blade downward to the lower-part of the back. Itsrelative width and thickness is indicated in the drawings, beingcomparativelyquite thin throughoutits length. At its upper end, a, it iswider than at its lower end, a, and, in place of beingmade straight, atits upper end-that is, in the support worn upon the right side of theback (the one shown)the upper end of the support curves to the right,and in the support worn upon the left side the upper end curves to theleft. the back, provides a better and a broader bearingupon theshoulder-blade, and enables the lower portion of, the support, oppositethe in the direction of its length.

This adapts the support to the shape of.

waist, to be more elastic and to yield more than 3 5 the upper portion.The prominent feature of the support. however, is its open-workconstruction.' This extends throughout its length,

in effect making the support what may be termeda skeletonframe, theopenings a be- 40 ing in all parts of the support and elongated Thisrenders the support exceedingly light in weight without detractingfromits strength or suppleness. Practically no obstacle is offered tothe circu- 4 5 lation of the air or the dissipation of the heat of thebody. These supports therefore combine the maximum of efliciency withthe minimum of discomfort. They can be used in many varieties of corsetsand shoulder-braces, beinginsertedsuitablyin the casings of'thecorset orbrace and spaced suitably apart therein, so

as not to bear directly upon the spine.

So far as making the support in the form'of a skeleton-frame isconcerned, the openings (1 may be of any shape and size. They should,however, beextended throughout the support.

I claim- 1. As a new article of manufacture, the herein-described corsetand shoulder-brace elastic 6o skeleton-support.

2. Acorset and shoulder-brace support having theopenings a elongated andextended, as and for the purpose described.

- O. A. WILLIAMSON. Witnessesz' G. D. MOODY, SoLoN N. SAPP.

